All RHD W203 C-Class Saloons Recalled

[pascal]

Mercedes-Benz Europe have informed me that the possible battery defect I wrote about last week http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=11232 , affects all the 'New' (W203) C-Class cars 2000-05 in right hand drive.

If you are the owner of a RHD W203 and you do not recieve notification fom MB UK, please telephone the Mercedes-Benz European hotline on 00800 1 777 7777*.

Thanks to Julie from customer services in MB headquarters Holland, for her prompt reply to my concerns on this matter.

Pascal

*Do not ring MB UK yet, as the recall is not yet registered on their system.

EDIT: Please read update on post 21.

 

[MissMercedes]

It looks like Pascal has used his 'Irish Charm' on Julie from MB Europe. :grin:

 

[pascal]

MBOA Exclusive (lol)

As it happens MissM,

Julie (from MB headquarters Masterect, Holland) is Irish.

Before I got to speak to her, the others seemed surprised that I knew about the battery problem. They were trying to refer me to MB Ireland, but when I said that I was enquiring on behalf of UK owners, they put me on to Julie.

After less than 10 minutes, she came back with that statement. It seems that they are only starting the process of writing to UK owners.

When I asked about the fact that the addresses of some W203 owners may not be up to date on their database, she agreed I should post this on the board.

Very pleasent and helpful girl, Julie. No charm at all required (as if I would) LOL.

Pascal

 

[zishan03]

What exactly is the defect in the battery?

 

[nicky]

What exactly is the defect in the battery?

Pascal forgot to ask her,he was so busy chating....lol

 

[pascal]

Battery Recall

Dealer says there is possible fire hazard, due to a battery defect.
Letters from MB state: 'battery defect' and 'arrange appointment with dealer.....'

I haven't got a copy of the letter with me right now, but I can get one later today.

Whilst speaking with MB Europe, my enquirey was with reference to this letter.

I asked them what the extent of the problem was accross the W203 range, where they disclosed that it included all RHD models.

The fact that it is for RHD only, and lots of different batches would have being supplied since 2001, would lead me to suspect that it may be a the connections rather than battery itself.

Will post a copy of the letter later, but I'm pretty sure that MB UK will be sending them out next week, or before.

EDIT: Please read update on post 21

Pascal

 

[zishan03]

I just called MB customer service and gave my chassis number and my car in not affected by any of the 4 recall notices she had. Two related to the battery, volt meter and regulator I think and two related to the brakes, which I think was to do with the E-Class.

btw my car is a 2002 Sports Coupe, so no new battery for my I guess.


Zishan

 

[pascal]

EM,
I was speaking to MB UK, and they have not received the details on this recall from technical yet.

The information that I got yesterday, came from the technical department.

Customer Services UK, have not yet issued the recall, and their recall information at the moment relates only to the 'General Recall' affecting 6cy models. This new recall is un-connected to 'General Recall', and may be 'staggered' because it involves so may cars.

This is why your Chassis no has come up as clear.

MB. Uks technical department will be emailing me later. Basically we are ahead of ourselves here.

EDIT: Please read update on post 21

Pascal

 

[zishan03]

Ah I see, so I could well still be in for a new battery. Thanks for all the help on this Pascal, we just have to wait and see I guess.

 

[pascal]

Update:

All the RHD W203 saloons (C180, C200, C220cdi.........), chassis nos. WDB203............... to be recalled

Letters will be issued over the coming weeks............. No fire risk

Will post the statement from MB this afternoon.

EDIT: Please read update on post 21

Pascal

 

[blassberg]

thinks.....so who's going to tell the factory so that my shiny new one doesn't need to get recalled?

 

[pascal]

Full Details of Recall

Below is a copy of the email issued by MB UK, re. W203 recall.

Cars affected are RHD C-Class Saloons (new model 2000--) (chassis WDB203******). At this point it seems that sports coupe and estates are not affected.

They also ask not to contact headquarters re. this recall, as owners will be notified by post. If after a reasonable period of time, you do not receive such a letter, please contact your nearest dealer.

Thankyou to Julie, Lisa & Alice for your cooperation on this matter.

Pascal (on behalf of http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/ forum members)

EDIT: Please read update on post 21

This Email is not totally correct

2nd June 2005

Ref: LS-1-326868558


Dear Mr *******

Thank you for contacting the DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center.

We can now confirm that only right hand drive Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloon models with chassis number WDB203 are affected by the battery service measure . It will be the responsibility of the dealerships to send out the letters to their customers to inform them of this measure. Furthermore we can assure you that there is no fire risk involved.

Should you have any further requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely

Lisa Shannon
Customer Service
DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center N.V.
Gaetano Martinolaan 10
NL-6229 GS Maastricht, The Netherlands

Phone Nr: 00800 1 777 7777
mailto: CustomerService.UK@cac.daimlerchrysler.com

 

[JonW]

So when mine [C220 CDI saloon Dec 2003] is in for a service next week, should I insist that whatever is required is done? What actually is the remedial work they will do to the car?

 

[pascal]

Did any of you guys get the letters yet?

 

[JonW]

No letter yet. Mine went in for service last week, totally forgot the recall, assumed they would check, but not a word about it. This was my first MB service, no feedback, no report, no advice - is this typical. With my Audis always had a 2 minute explanation of what they had done, things they had noticed, but MB - SFA

 

[robbi-wan]

For those of us who are not expecting a letter from MB: What is the worst case scenario for this recall and do we need to take any preventative action??
I would rather not turn the beast into a BBQ for the sake of a new battery......
rob

 

[MSG2004]

No letter yet - will check the chassi number in the service book and repost soon.

 

[MSG2004]

No letter yet - will check the chassi number in the service book and repost soon.

Just checked - mine is a WDC203 - thank God something is going right for me!

 

[pascal]

Jon.
My Dad has the same car as yours, same year as well. He got the letter several weeks ago.
I would suggest that you contact your dealer.
And in the meantime, I will contact Maastricht again.

I noted this post from last August. :evil:

I have a 2001 C180 Automatic, it had the original Hoppecke battery.

After a 55 mile journey we stopped for a walk in the New Forest.

The car was left for about 45 minutes. On my return, I turned the key and heard a loud bang, the battery had exploded and there was acid everywhere.

Mercedes tested the electrics and said the car was ok, the alternator and other electrics did not cause the problem.

I was left with a bill for £250 (battery plus testing).

Has anyone ever experienced anything similar?

Should I try and claim from Mercedes as the battery was an original fit.

Most batteries just die and lose charge not explode.

Any thoughts or coments would be really useful, this is my first post.

 

[colechelle]

to clear this matter up, any w203 fitted with a south african battery has a recall, no fire risk at all but the top of the battery has a vent hole, on this batch of batterys the vent hole was not drilled through allowing pressure build up, been seen couple of times on cranking a hot battery, the top of the battery blows of into the filter above it, no danger to you or car just to the poor sod who has to change it